... Christmas is upon us ...

Tonight starts the big "Christmas Vacation" for the Ortega family.  Well, I must be honest, the vacation starts tonight for the Ortega adults.  Tomorrow is slated to be our day of alone time, to include a romantic lunch (if the weather cooperates) and any last minute gift shopping while the kids enjoy one more day of daycare.

The festivities started off with a beautiful foggy night at Storybook Island.  Certainly a South Dakota tradition for the few years we hang our hats here!

The fog was unforgiving in the town we live in, however once we got down into Rapid we were thankful that we hadn't called it a night!  With days offering us temperatures well into the negatives, tonight the 28 degrees was comfortable.  We bundled the kiddos in 3 layers, donned the winter outwear, and headed for the lights!

Each display was sponsored by a local business, and each one was decorated fantastically!  We had a great time.  The lights were beautiful.  The crowd was minimal.  Both the kids behaved so well, they were in awe of the displays at every turn.

... and then, for the first time ever, both of the children sat with Santa.  Even if just for a split second!

'Til next year... thank you for the Christmas cheer Storybook Island!  You are wonderful!

... World Wildlife gift ...

I know that Christmas is right around the corner, but if you are still looking for a couple last minute gifts I've got an idea for you!  What kids don't love animals?  We adopted an Eagle for Owen and a Red Fox for Danica (since she's such a big Dora fan... Swiper).  We've been looking for ways to make Christmas about more than just "receiving" to our kids, and this was one purchase we had very little hesitation on.  Hopefully we'll be posting pictures next week of the kiddos and their adoptees! 

http://www.worldwildlife.org/ogc/species_category.cfm

... the snow ...

I just finished up a nice warm bubble bath, glass of raspberry honeywine, listening to some OneRepublic Slacker Radio on the BlackBerry.  I told myself I wouldn't "blog" unless I had something I really wanted to write down.  While relaxing in the bath, thinking about the layer of snow settling in on our home, so many memories came racing back to me.  Of course the snow always reminds me of my best friend Tarra... my ski instructor love. =)  Remembering that first snowfall in October of 03, our first full winter in Utah.  Jacob throwing snowballs at our window.  Tarra and I had just finished up an ORE, which was cut short due to the downfall.  Tarra calls me to come into her room right after I get out of the shower, so there I go running to see what fool is throwing snowballs at our window (yey to my future husband), don't notice Tarra's open drawer, and nearly take off my leg from the knee down!  Flying across the room in nothing but a towel, I didn't realize how funny it would be looking back.

I remember the blizzards that I always seemed to get stuck in on the I-15.  I was never one for the weather channel!  Jake and I driving in Tarra's truck out to Hooters the day after Christmas, insulting all the idiots risking their lives to catch the sales that were going on.  I guess lunch at Hooters was an acceptable outing to die for!  Or the time I dropped Jacob off at the airport on Christmas morning in the rain... which turned into a full on blizzard on the way home, forcing me to shop at Walgreens for an hour on Christmas morning (making Walgreens one of my favorites, just for being their in a girls time of need!)  Or the night we went to visit Ariel & Mirsayah in the hospital, just a day old.  After leaving the happy mom and daughter for the night I drove out to SLC with Tarra and Jake, left at 2 in the morning, and again... a blizzard!

I remember all the silly arguments over who should shovel snow, who out ranked who!  Trying, and failing, at house training 3lb Nala in January.  Ana and I debating over whose car was more reliable... her Sentra or my Corolla... in 3 ft of snow to drive to Betos to split some carne asada fries.

How could I forget poor Smitty trying to teach my clumsy behind how to ski!  Meanwhile, Lee was a pro his first time snowboarding on the "best snow on Earth".

I remember so many funerals that we did honor guard details for, keeping our bearing in the snow.  I'll never forget my first funeral.  The widow must have been in her 80s and the funeral director asked her if she'd like to wait inside and get out of the snow, to which she replied "no, I'm going to stay out here with my boys in blue".  There was nothing more rewarding than Honor Guard.

All those times we tried to look cute, going out in the snow!  Wearing some adorable, nonsensical, shoes... but it was very necessary.  Waking up at 4:45am wondering if Lydia may consider the snow a good reason not to go to the gym... NEVER!  We made sure we both stuck to our routine.

It was snowing outside when Danica was born.  I remember spending the nights at McKay Dee, the room was on the 5th floor or so, and I never closed the curtains.  I would lay there in my bed with the little Miss asleep next to me, just watching the snow fall.

The last few nights we spent in Utah it was snowing.  I remember standing outside our billeting room to take a picture after the Holiday party.  We drove my mum to the airport, and the snow didn't stop a long hug goodbye.  The night of my going away at Tona a blizzard hit.  Instead of spending the time with my ladies, Jacob and I admired the Great Salt Lake and the lights of SLC talking about how much we would miss it.  Little did we know, we would drive through angry horizontal blowing snow the whole way through Wyoming!  The scenery of South Dakota covered in snow was so welcoming after the nothingness of Wyo Roads!!

Wow!  The snow days in South Dakota have been plentiful and unlike anything we experience in Utah. We closed on our home in the middle of two angry blizzards!  We made sure we went back to the pretty snow last year though, and bundled up to walk around the Gateway, under the scene of the snow capped Wasatch.  Again, to drive across Wyoming in the snowy weather back to South Dakota.

While, once upon a time, the snow was such a pest.  Something I had to live with and could most certainly live without... I can't imagine life without it now.  I never see myself voluntarily living somewhere that doesn't snow in the wintertime.  The snow makes so many things just that much better... Target, Starbucks, Football Sundays... all much better when it's snowing outside.  Tarra would be so proud of me!

... ahh, failure ...

Over the last few years my motivation at work has had its ebbs and flows.  Looking back I made some very scary choices, but good ones none the less.  Those decisions and the many changes over the last 4 years have molded me into what some may call an over achiever.  I have put a lot of energy into career progression (up the ladder) and in turn some career broadening has slipped through the cracks.

Today I failed.  I won't go into details (don't want to turn my mood south) but I finally failed at something I had pushed myself to do, and I was doing it voluntarily to make matters worse!  You know what, it feels liberating!!  I know, I'm nuts.  Sunday afternoon, while being snappy with my kiddos because they weren't cooperating at nap time, thus making it impossible for me to concentrate on the task I failed at... I had a bit of an awakening.  In my frustrations, I placed my laptop down - went to the kids room - brushed Danica's hair behind her ear and calmed her down - sat down with Owen and patted his back - moments later they were both calm and nodding off.  It was then that I realized, I'm wasting away precious moments by packing my schedule - VOLUNTARILY.    Since having Owen, I've worked my tush off for 3 promotions, a Degree, several awards, added responsibility, volunteer opportunities etc. etc. etc.  Meanwhile, I have a home and a family.  I work a full time job.  I maintain healthy and happy friendships.  Yet, if I don't have a box that I'm in the process of checking off for my resume, I've been uncomfortable.  Why?

It feels good to fail and to not worry about what others think.  I tried, it didn't work, I'll try again in the future when I've had a little bit of time to relax.  I am drained, and coming home at 4:30 everyday and having evening and weekends dedicated to ME (and by "me" I mean all of the Ortegas of course) feels great.  It's time to kick back and relax for a bit.  What good are accomplishments if you don't give yourself the opportunity to enjoy each one.

-RELAX... life's about some fun and games too.  Enjoy your children while they are still little.  Love your husband and be someone he can love being around!  Enjoy your home.  Find some time to read.  WORK OUT.  Stop rushing!  Do things in your time, your way.  - The end!

... the years are flying by ...

I recall listening to mothers, before I had children of my own, telling me that their babies were all grown up.  I would think to myself, "they are two!"  I now find myself in their shoes.

It seems like just yesterday when Jacob and I were making that anxious trip from our little home on Hill AFB, out to McKay-Dee Hospital to deliver Owen.  Never could I imagine that so many memories could have been created in a few nights at the cozy hospital.  The first time the nurses took him from us Jacob looked at me and said "I already can't imagine living without him".  Truly a bundle of joy...

We celebrated Owen's first Birthday in California, with a smaller celebration back in Utah. Owen was fortunate that his grandparents, great grandmother, Auntie Zoe, Uncle Lee, and cousin Tyler were all with him on his special day. We were already expecting Danica when Owen turned one. It's possible that we didn't feel the same teeny tiny bit of sadness on Owen's birthdays, knowing that our "baby" was still a bun in the oven.

With a handsome one year old boy at home with our great friend Lydia, Jacob and I 

made that trip to McKay-Dee. 

This time we had my mum traveling with us, probably more anxious than we were. On

that cold winter day... our gorgeous little girl came into this world. Our baby girl, Danica.

Just two short week later, we embarked on a long voyage across the final frontier (Wyoming)

and found our new little home at Ellsworth, AFB. Here we celebrated Owen's 2nd birthday,

amidst a flood! Due

to the weather conditions, we had celebrated at home, just the four of us.

Danica's first birthday followed suit. However, her

birthday's have always been a little bitter sweet. Our baby, growing up! No more rocking her to sleep,

no more bottles, no more counting months (good thing for me!).

Then we got brave, a little too brave. Three year old party at Chuck E. Cheese. We overestimated

ourselves! Owen had a blast, no matter how many marbles Jacob and I lost that day. It was worth the

madness. Our little man, on his way into the big boy room at the CDC! ABCs, 123s, all a piece of cake for Mr. Owen.  

No more diapers, dressing himself, cleaning up after himself, 

reminding us when it was bath time... his own little person!

...So here we are. Just yesterday our baby girl had her 2nd birthday party. We decided on a little

Princess tea party at home, went off without a hitch. All the little girls had a fabulous time. The

morning of our little girls birthday, we woke up singing the birthday song... happy as could be. Although,

somewhere in my aching heart... I could hear a little mother's cry. My baby, TWO. She's no longer our baby, 

she's her own little person... with her sassy attitude and her love for 
shoes! 

My how time flies...

... The First...

This is it, and my dear friend Winnie will be to thank for the countless hours that will now be described as "just going to post a quick blog".  We shall see how this fever catches!  I love to write, especially about the daily tales that the Ortega family adventures become.  So, here we go!